Arachidonlc acid (AA) netabolisn has been extensively studied in fresh platelets, but there Is little infomation available for stored platelets . we stored platelets in CLI bags far five days at 22+/-2°C and, on days 0, 3 and 5, six si of platelet concentrate were revved from the container and platelets were labeled with (C-14J-AA. Both incorporation and distribution of radiotracer sere studied in rest and thrcnfcln stivlated platelets.Total uptake of, (C-14)-AA dropped fron day 0 to 5 (p 0.01). Distribution oh day 0 was sinilar to fresh platelets. Incorporation of (C-14)-AA on phosphatidyl inositol (FI) decayed fron 12.4+/-1.5 on day 0, to 7.9+/-0.9 on day 3 (p 0.001), While the percentage attached on phosphatidylserine (PS),increased fron 5.3+/-0.9 to 8.8+/-1.5 (p 0.001). There were not any changes fron day 3 to 5.On day 0,17.7+/-5.2X of radiactlvity was released fron phospholipids by thronbin. This anount decreased to 7.3+/-2.5X (p 0.01) on day 5. I^xaiment in breakdown of both PI and phosphatidylcholine (PC) was detected. Generation of phosphatidic acid (PA) by thronbin, decreased fron 2.6+/-0.4X of total radiactlvity on day 0 to 1.4+/-0.3X on day 3 (p 0.001) and 0.9+/-0.2X on day 5 (p 0.01). Ve did not find changes in TxB2 and HHT, but HETE decayed fron 7.2+/-2.9X on day 0, to 2.3t/-0.9% on day 5 (p 0.01).We concluded that both activities of phospholipases A-2 and C are affected by storage.